Hydraulic underreamer



A. L. HALLIDAY ET Ah 1,944,556

HYDRAULIC UNDERREAMER Filed July 6, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNE Y,

Jan. 23, 1934.

b Wig Jam 1934. A. L. HALLIDAY ET AL HYDRAULIC UNDERREAMER Filed July 6, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet [N VEN TOR 14L oxvzo L. HAL L/DA F250 JONES,

A TTORNZ y Patented Jan. 23, 1934 UNETE STATES F Fl C E PATENT HYDRAULIC UNDERREAMER Alonzo L. Halliday and Fred Jones, Ventura, Calif.

7 Claims.

This invention relates to oil Well apparatus, and more particularly to that type of apparatus adapted for performing various functions, such as drilling, underreaming, and the like.

The invention has for an object the provision of a device which is automatic in its action and which may be lowered within a casing and have parts thereof expanded. beneath the casing string for the purpose of digging or boring to permit lowering of the casing string as digging progresses.

Another object is the provision of a device of the character stated which is controlled entirely by fluid pressure.

Another object is the provision of a device in which the cutting elements thereof may be readily changed and which is labor saving and likewise saving in pipe.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a rotary drilling bit which is adapted to have the bit elements thereof expanded beneath casing by fluid pressure.

Another object is the provision of a rotary drilling bit wherein the bit elements interlock when in expanded position in such a manner as to be in stress resisting formation.

Another object is the provision of a rotary drilling bit having blade elements so related to circulation features of the bit that the bits are at all times maintained clear of cuttings.

Another object is the provision of a bit which may be readily assembled or disassembled within a minimum of time.

Another object is the provision of a bit in which associated elements for moving the blade members thereof from a collapsed to an expanded position may be readily assembled or disassembled from the bit structure by the simple removal of one element to release the remaining elements of I the bit.

Another object is the provision of a bit having the elements thereof so constituted and arranged as to not be subject to damage.

In its simplest embodiment, the improved rotary drilling bit contemplates a series of blades adapted to be moved from a collapsed to an expanded position upon depression of a plunger, the said plunger being actuated by fluid pressure exerted thereagainst.

A further object of the invention is to utilize a structure of the character just stated wherein fluid pressure is effectively sealed against entrance to the operating mechanism between the said plunger and blades, to the end that Said operating mechanism is not damaged.

Serial No. 548,859

Other objects include a rotary drilling bit which is simple of structure, fool-proof in operation, inexpensive in cost of manufacture, combines many novel features, and generally superior to bits adapted to perform a like function.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, construction, association, and relative arrangement of parts, members and features, all as shown in certain embodiments in the accompanying drawings, described generally, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings: Figure l is a longitudinal view of the im proved expansion rotary drilling bit operating Within a well hole,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the improved expansion rotary drilling bit, certain elements thereof being in one position,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, certain parts being in changed relation,

Figure 4 is a bottom plan View of the blade elements of the bit in collapsed position,

Figure 5 shows the blade elements of Figure 4 in expanded position,

Figure 6 is a sectional view on line 66 of Figure 3,

Figure 7 is a sectional view on line 77 of Figure 3,

Figure 8 is a sectional view on line 88 of Figure 3,

Figure 9 shows cone type drills utilized in place of the blades'shown in Figures 4 and 5,

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, the said cone drills being in collapsed position,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary detail partly in section illustrating the method of mounting the cone type drills to a shank,

Figure 12 shows a modified form of blade structure which may be utilized, and,

Figure 13 shows the blade structure of Figure 12 in expanded position.

Referring to the drawings, the improved expansion drilling bit is designated as an entirety by 1, and the same includes a body 2 provided at one end with internal tapered screw-threads 3', for the purpose of receiving the screw-threaded end of a pin 4. The said pin 4 is likewise screwthreaded at 5, whereby the pin may be threaded to a box associated withtubing 6. This said body is provided in part with a central bore '7 havin portions of different diameter, as shown at 8 and 9. The central bore does not extend through the body but is limited by what may be termed a base portion thereof.

portion 10. The said body is provided at different zones thereof with longitudinally extending segmental slotted portions, which reduce the thickness of the body as, for instance, illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 at 11, it being noted that the socalled portion 11 has a lesser thickness than the portion shown at 12. To build back the general thickness of the body and so that the exterior surface of the said body appears to be perfectly round, segmental plates 13 are provided, and these plates are spaced from the surface of the portions 11 to provide circulation ways 14 between the portions 11 and the interior surface of the segmental plates 13. These plates may be held to the body in any approved manner, such as by welding. Also, the said body is formed with a circulation opening 15 directly communicating with the circulation Way 14 and which circulation opening extends to the bottom 16 of the body. The portion of reduced thickness 11 of the said body is interrupted or cut away in the plane of the segmental portion at 17, to the end that the circulation Way is in direct communication with the bore 18 of the pin 4. It will be understood that other portions of the body may be reduced in thickness, with plates 13 covering said portions, to provide other circulation ways, and that the said body would likewise be provided with circulation openings 15 for said circulation ways.

'That portion of the body extending between the base portion 10 and the end 16 is provided with one or more bores 19. In the present instance, there are three bores equidistantly spaced from the center of the said body and from each other. These bores act as bearing portions for receiving shanks 20 of blades 21. The blades shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive are of the type shown in Figures 4 and 5. Each blade has a segmental curved portion 22, a cutting edge portion 23, and an enlarged part 24. The bounding edges 25, 26 and 27 are angularly related. The shanks are associated with the enlarged parts of the blades. As the blades are identical in construction, like reference numerals will be applied, and in this respect, it will be seen in Figure 4 that when the blades are in collapsed position that the blade edges 23 lie adjacent the bounding edge 2'7 of an adjacent blade. When the blades are swung outwardly to an expanded position, as shown in Figure 5, the bounding edge 26 of one blade will engage the bounding edge 27 of an adjacent blade, with the result that there will be an interlocking of the said blades. If stress is exerted against a blade edge, this stress is communicated to the bounding edges of two adjacent blades.

With the understanding that each blade with its shank is of similar construction to all other blades and shanks, reference is now had to Figures 2 and 3, wherein it will be seen that the shank portion is reduced in diameter at 28 and 29 with the part 29 carrying a gear 30. Suitable means is provided for holding the shanks within their respective bores 19, among which is a spring 31 having three radial arms extending from a center This may be termed a spider spring. The arms are curvedly bent adjacent the tips thereof. A portion of reduced diameter 28 for each blade shank lies between two arms of the said spring, and the said spring 31 rests on the base portion 19. At 32 is a plate having segmental cut-away portions 33. This plate is supported on the arms of the spider spring 31 and the segmental cut-away portions 33 are adapted to receive and accommodate the reduced ends 28 of the blade shanks 20.

Adapted to rest in part upon the top surface of the plate 32 and be received within the portion of reduced diameter 29, Which would be that portion lying between the part 28 of the shank and the gear 30 for each blade shank, considered as an entirety, is a half-circular yoke 34 (see Figure 7) The curved spring ends of the spider 31 push upwardly against the plate 32 and in turn exert an upward pressure against the half-circle yokes 34 and hence the blades are held in position against the bottom 16 of the body and incidentally the said shanks are locked against release from the body. The three elements just set forth constitute the means for holding the shanks in position.

Adapted to engage the teeth of the gears 30 and centrally positioned between said gears 30 is a gear 35. This gear is secured to a shaft 36, the said shaft extending from both sides of said gear. The shaft on one side has two portions of different diameter, as shown at 3'7 and 38, the portion 36 being centrally passed through a central opening 39 in the plate 32, with the end of said shaft bearing against the center of the spring 31. The portion of larger diameter 37 bears against the periphery of the several yokes 34, and thus holds the yokes against shifting. The opposite end 46 of the shaft is of extended length and provided with a longitudinally extending transverse slot 41. This shaft is provided on the periphery thereof with longitudinally extending grooves 42. Spaced above the gear and carried by said shaft portion 40 is a disc 43. This disc may be integrally formed on the said shaft or secured thereto in any approved manner, and this disc is provided with openings 44 in alignment with the grooves 42. There is loosely carried upon the shaft part 40 immediately above the gear 35, and spaced from the disc 43, a disc 45 (see Figure 8). This disc 45 is provided with spaced transverse bores 46 which receive reduced end portions 47 of the said shanks 20. This disc is locked against movement by providing the body with a tapped bore 48 in the plane of the disc 45 and then inserting a screw 49 having a pointed end for reception in a notch 50 in the said disc. The shaft part 40 is confined within an annular shank 51 of a plunger 52. This plunger has a head portion 53 secured to said annular shank at one end thereof, and the said head portion is formed with a tapped bore 54 adapted to receive a plug 55. Within the confines of the body and surrounding the annular shank of the plunger is a sleeve 56. This sleeve is formed to fit snugly Within the body and is enlarged at 57 so as to accommodate itself to the changed diameter portions 8 and 9 of the body. One end of said sleeve terminates just above the disc 44 while the opposite end lies in the plane of the interrupted portion of the body, being that portion shown at 17. The sleeve is locked to the body by means of a key-type plug 58, this keytype plug being received in a threaded bore 59 of the body and having the key portion thereof received in the transverse opening 66 of the sleeve. The said sleeve is provided with a pair of diametrically disposed spiral slots 61 and 62. A pin 63 is diametrically passed through the lower end portion of the annular shank of the plunger and the length of said pin is substantially equal to the diameter of the sleeve 56. Surrounding the extended ends of said pin are annular type rollers 64, and these said rollers are confined within the spiral slots 61 and 62. Annular rollers 65 are likewise carried upon the said pin and within the confines of the slot 41 of the shaft portion 40. A coil spring 66 is within the confines of the plunger and has one end thereof bearing against the end of the shaft portion 40.

The enlarged portion 57 of the sleeve is provided with an annular packing ring 67 and against which the head of the plunger will bear when the plunger is in the position shown in Figure 3.

The gears carried on the shanks 20 are of the segmental type, which is to say that the teeth do not completely encircle the gear shank, as shown in Figure 7. This leaves a segmental spacing between two of the gear teeth and stops, designated generally as 68 are passed through transverse openings in the body for contact with one or the other of the spaced teeth to limit the relative rotation of the shanks 20 when the gears are turned.

We may utilize almost any form of cutter device with our invention. In Figures 9 and 10, cone type cutters are provided. For convenience of description, it may be assumed that shanks 69 corresponding to the shanks 20 are provided and which shanks 69 have offset portions 70, each offset portion in turn having a journal '71. Each journal is provided with an annular groove 72. The cone type cutters 73 are provided with bores 74 to receive the journals '71 and the cutters are internally provided with an annular groove 75. A split annular ring 76 is adapted to be received in both the annular groove of the journal and of the cutter and in this manner the cutter is held to the journal. As before, the offset portions 40 have edge portions 77 and 78 which cooperate when the cutters are swung to their outward position (see Figure 9).

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate in plan another arrangement of cutters in which two semi-circular cutters '79 and 80 are provided. Both cutters are mounted eccentrically upon shanks 81, the arrangement being such that the cutters are collapsed together in Figure 12, and upon rotation, the cutters swing outwardly to the position shown in Figure 13, with a portion of the edges 82 for both cutters cooperating.

The operation, uses and advantages of the invention just described are as follows:

If we assume that the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, is being utilized, the same being attached to the tubing 6, this tubing is associated with a slush pump at the surface of the well hole along with suitable means for rotating the tubing. Fluid under pressure is forced by the slush pump within the tubing and in turn against the head 53 of the plunger 52. This pressure will force the plunger downwardly so that the shank thereof is moved within the liner or sleeve 56. As this occurs, the pin 63 through cooperation with the rollers, will move within the spiral slots 61 and 62 of the said sleeve, causing a rotary movement of the plunger shank, and as the pin is confined within the slot 41 of the shaft portion 40, the shaft will be rotated from the position of Figure 2 to the position of Figure 3. As the shaft is turned, the gear 35 carried by the said shaft is likewise turned, which will produce rotation of the gears 30 in mesh with the gear 35. Rotation of the gears 30 will, of course, produce a corresponding rotation of the shanks 20 and swing the blades 21 from the position of Figures 2 and 4 to the position shown in Figures 3 and 5. It is intended that when the plunger has moved to position the same adjacent the top surface of the sleeve 56 and against the gasket 67 that the extreme movement of the blades has been effected, at which time the stops 68 by engaging a tooth of each gear 30 will stop further movement of said gears (see Figure 7); As the plunger moves downwardly, any fluid in advance of said plunger, such as air, is forced through a port 83 transversely extending through the body 2 and at the zone of the disc 43. It is also to be observed that the grooves 42 on the shaft portion 40 likewise are in communication with the port 83. Thus, what may be termed a pressure relief is provided for the easy operation of the plunger in its downward or upward movement relative to the sleeve and likewise for that space within the plunger which houses the spring 66. During a drilling operation, fluid under pressure will pass through the tubing 6, the opening 18 in the pin, into the space 17, and through the several ways or ports 14 and 15, and over the faces of the blades to thereby wash the drilled formation therefrom. The said gasket 6'7 is tightly engaged by the plunger head, as has been before stated, and this means effects a seal so that the fluid under pressure will not contact with the gear or other elements of the invention or be received between the liner and the plunger to in any manner impair operation thereof. When it is desired to contract the blades to the position shown in Figure 2, circulation of the fluid through the slush pump is stopped or at least the pressure is reduced sufficiently so that the spring 66 may expand to move the plunger upwardly within the sleeve and to reverse the turning movement of the gear 35 which will, of course, revolve the gears 30, hence reversing the action of the mechanism.

Attention is directed to the fact that the blades 21 all have a segmental curved portion 22'which may be termed a shoulder portion, to the end that if the spring 66 should fail to function or become broken, the device nevertheless might be raised, due to the fact that the rounded portions of the said blades would engage the casing shoe which is usually carried by the end of the casing and in so doing, rotate or move the blades inwardly to a contracted position. In order that this may be accomplished, the spiral slots are so arranged that the shanks of the blades may be readily turned upon exerting pressure against the socalled shoulder portions of the blades.

If it is desired to disassemble the device, the plug 58 is first removed which will, upon removing the pin 4, allow the plunger 52, liner 56, shaft 36, and the gear 35 to be removed from the body. The screw 49 is next screwed outwardly from the body, the disc 45 removed, followed by removal of the yokes 34 from engagement with the shanks 20, whereupon the shanks may be removed from the bores 19 of the body. The remaining portions can readily be removed from the body. The stops 68 maybe left in position, as they will not interfere with any of the mechanism during removal thereof from the body.

So far as the cone type cutters are concerned, said cutters snap on and snap off of the journal 71. r

The cutters of the type shown in Figures 12 and 13 require no statement for the operation thereof.

It will be observed with reference to the cone type cutters that an oil bore is passed through the offset portions 70 and the journal '71 and is in communication with the annular groove '75 as, for instance, illustrated at 83. A small plug 84 is screw-threaded Within the bore 83 so as to prevent debris from entering said oil bore.

viously, the oil will pass around the ring '76 and reciprocate the journal so that the cone type cutter will turn readily thereon.

The plug 55 is centrally bored at 55a. When it is desired to remove the general assembly from within the body 2 after removal of the member 58 and the said pin 4, a pull rod may be screwed into the said plug and the plunger and remaining members withdrawn from the body.

The keys 68 are of importance, and it will be observed upon reference to Figure 2 that these keys are fitted within longitudinal recesses of the body and, in addition to engaging the gears between teeth thereof, that they parallel the shanks 20 of the gears for a substantial portion thereof. This acts to brace the shanks and absorbs stress communicated to the shanks when the blades are engaging work.

In every instance, it will be observed that when the cutters are in expanded position that sides of said cutters cooperate with sides of adjacent cutters to form what may be termed a stress resisting relationship, to the end that pressure exerted against one cutter blade is communicated not only to its shank but to the sides of two adjacent blades. This is an important feature as it equalizes the stress that might otherwise be imposed upon a single blade.

This device will operate satisfactorily under conditions prevalent within and without a drilling string, the variation of pressures ranging between 200 and 1600 pounds per square inch greater within the drilling string than without the same.

It is obvious that Various changes and modifications and variations may be made in practicing the invention in departure from the particular showing of the drawings and description as given without departing from the true spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. In a device of the character disclosed, a body, a sleeve therein provided with a pair of spiral slots, 2. plunger including a head, and a tubular shank, said shank being movable within said sleeve, a shaft provided with an elongated slot,

and means passed through the slot of the shaft and through the tubular shank and received in said spiral slots whereby reciprocation of said plunger within said sleeve produces rotary movement of said shaft.

2. In a device of the character disclosed, a body, a sleeve therein provided with a pair of spiral slots, a plunger including a head and a tubular shank, said shank being movable within said sleeve, a shaft provided with an elongated slot, and means passed through the slot of the shaft and through the tubular shank and received in said spiral slots whereby reciprocation of said plunger within said sleeve produces rotary movement of said shaft; said plunger being adapted to have fluid pressure directed against the head thereof to move theplunger in one direction, and means for moving the plunger in an opposite direction when the fluid pressure is removed from the said head.

3. In a device of the character disclosed, a body provided with a bore, a sleeve within said bore, a plunger mounted for reciprocation within the sleeve, a shaft confined in part by said plunger, and means between the shaft, plunger and sleeve whereby when the plunger is reciprocated, the said shaft is rotatably reciprocated; a gear carried by said shaft, a cutter and its shank carried by the body, a gear on said shank in mesh with the first named gear, and means whereby a fluid under pressure may be directed against said plunger to move the same to rotate the shaft and said gears and in turn move-the said cutter into work engagement.

l. In a device of the character disclosed, a body provided with a bore, a sleeve within said bore, a plunger mounted for reciprocation within the sleeve, a shaft confined in part by said plunger, and means between the shaft, plunger and sleeve whereby when the plunger is reciprocated, the said shaft is rotatably reciprocated; a gear carried by said shaft, a cutter and its shank carried by the body, a gear on said shank in mesh with the first named gear, means whereby a fluid under pressure may be directed against said plunger to move the same to rotate the shaft and said gears and in turn move the said cutter into work engagement, and means for moving said cutter out of work engagement when pressure is released from said plunger.

5. In a device of the character disclosed, a body provided with a bore, a sleeve within said bore, a plunger mounted for reciprocation within the sleeve, a shaft confined in part by said plunger, and means between the shaft, plunger and sleeve whereby when the plunger is reciprocated, the said shaft is rotatably reciprocated; a gear carried by said shaft, a cutter and its shank carried by the body, a gear on said shank in mesh with the first named gear, and means whereby a fluid under pressure may be directed against said plunger to move the same to rotate the shaft and said gears and in turn move the said cutter into work engagement; said body being formed to bypass fluid into the path of the cutter to maintain the cutter clear during cutting operation thereof.

6. In a device of the character disclosed, a body, a blade and its shank carried by said body, and an elongated key carried by the body and having a bearing surface extending longitudinally against said shank to brace the shank and absorb stress communicated to the shank when the blade is engaging work.

'7. In a device of the character disclosed, a body formed with a bore, a cutter and its shank, said shank being received in said bore, a plate adapted to in part surround said shank, a yoke supported on said plate and engaging said shank for locking the shank within the body, and means supported by the body and engaging said plate normally urging the plate in one direction within the body.

ALONZO L. HALLIDAY. FRED JONES. 

